Topic: Cancer in white Cats Daisy's story. (Read 3912 times)

RedwoodsMama · « **on:** September 07, 2011, 03:01:58 PM »

For most of you out there you know I love cats and have nine of my own as well as others I take care of, feeding that is. There is one cat in particular that is breaking my heart right now, Daisy. Daisy is a solid white cat except for one very tiny patch of grey on the middle of her head. For almost two years Daisy was part of a colony 0f 34 cats and kittens, semi feral or feral. It was all because of people who own pets and are not responsible to get their pets neutered or spayed. When this owner left, he left behind a tiny female, this cat had kittens, three litters of five kittens each time which soon resulted in 34 cats and kittens. To make a long story shorter, in Sept 2008 I worked with a close friend on getting these cats a home or they all would have been euthanized. Nine kittens were placed in homes, I took home two of them and my same friend one. That left about 20 cats that were part of a MIRACLE!

They all went to a farm in Redcrest, not far from where I live in the REdwoods. These cats found their forever home, free to roam acres of Redwoods, a stream and a huge barn for shelter and people who loved them and would feed them. :)All but two of these cats were relocated, Daisy an her freind, Peaches has to stay here in the alley close to the home they were born in. I still feed these two cats everyday, day in and day out, even when I had just had foot surgery, I hobbled out to the alley rain or shine as this is my love. Oh and yes, alll of these cats were spayed and or neutered so there would be no more kittens being born.
Now for Daisy, Daisy is almost solid white and blue eyed cat, spayed and was very lovely at one time, But being out in the sun day in and day out has been costly to her, her ears first were sunburned, and now the tips have turned into cancer .

Daisy has lost her beautful white coat, becomming yellowed and she has lost weight, She eats very well but her ears or what is left of them is terrible! She has what is termed, Cauliflower ear, greyish masses on top of the outer ears, with the inner flap being scratched raw with visible pus under the flap. This has to hurt . I have been trying to catch her for over two months and even longer. I had her almost in July but made a mistake of being inpatient and tying to spring the trap close myself while she was in it, and now she is more cautious about going into the trap. She is also smart and has been able to walk in and steal the tuna bait without springing the spring, If you saw a before picture of Daisy, it would break your heart. :oHopefully today is the day I can catch her. She and I have a good relationship and she lets me pet her and she rubs all over me but I can not just "pick her UP", as that would break her trust in me and she will never just walk into the trap on her own. Eventually she will not be able to resist the tuna or other treats and she will spring the spring that will close the door behind her. My friend has given her the use of her garage to have her stay in while we wait for her to go to the vets, which will be right away once caught. A animal rescue group will pay for her vet care allso, now I just have to catch my beautiful little Daisy. This breaks my heart, because not only is this happening to Daisy, but cats out there who have owners who don't know better let their all white cats go out side not knowing the same fate can attack their cat. Please keep your white cats inside and pray for Daisy to get caught and that is not too late for Daisy.

RWM

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Here is the Before Cancer of the ear photo so you can see what a playful pretty little girl she is.

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Margery · « **Reply #1 on:** September 07, 2011, 03:26:35 PM »

It's heartbreaking to hear her story. I'm so sorry that today wasn't the day she tripped the trap. Perhaps soon

I didn't know that about white cats but will remember now and pass on the information to cat lovers.

Willow · « **Reply #2 on:** September 07, 2011, 03:49:25 PM »

Daisy is such a pretty cat! I'm so sorry to hear that she has cancer.

I'll pray that you can catch Daisy and that she'll get better! <3

Talon · « **Reply #3 on:** September 07, 2011, 06:01:09 PM »

Oh I'm so sorry, Redwoods! I've owned cats most of my life. Fortunately none of them were white and only my recent calico female has been an outdoor cat. I really hope you can catch her and get her in to a vet's soon!
Talon

Crewella · « **Reply #4 on:** September 07, 2011, 08:43:34 PM »

Softly, softly - I'm sure you'll catch her soon, RWM.

It's actually not just white cats that can get skin cancer from sunburn - I've had to apply sunblock to ponies with 'white' patches on vulnerable areas like ears and noses to protect them from the same, and I've heard of the same with other animals.

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #5 on:** September 07, 2011, 11:14:09 PM »

Crewella, you are right, it is just that all white or predominatly white animals get skin cancer faster because of less pigment. My big boy Dinta, who is a Turkish Van has more of the orange than his father does and his father Charlie, belongs to my good friend Cheryl, who also rescues cats and built a cat habitat. ( She has 15 cats, and she is the one I was "cat sitting for" when she went to Airizona about a week and a half ago. ( She also is the one who with my help caught the little female we named, Dove who was very pregnant and about four days after being rescued, gave birth to two beautiful little kittens.

She also caught the mother of Dove, a Tortie who is very young also) Anyway, Charlie is Dinta's father and he was not being cared for by his "owners" and allowed to run free at will, The only orange parts of Charlie are a orange tail and some small orange on his ears or part of his head. He is about 85% pure white and because of all the time he spent outside, Charlie has about four times already been taken to the vet's by Cheryl and had "Cancerous growths" taken off of his nose.If Charlie had not been rescued by Cheryl and not allowed to roam around anymore like he was before being confined to the Cat habitat, Charlie's days would be numbered, as it is one thing losing a ear or ear tip, but a cat needs his nose and losing a nose to cancer is not a pretty sight.

I really feel for all the white or animals with "vulnerable " white spots such as the ears and nose that do not have the good fortune to have people to take care of them when they get sunburned or to put sunscreen on those spots. It was really upsetting tonight to see poor little Daisy with her ear, not just to see the way it looks which is really swollen and ugly, but to be able to smell the pus or infection that is under the growth. Luckily she has lanced it so it is not building pressure and can at least drain, but she needs to see a vet desperatly. I did not catch her tonight even though I sat with her till darkness set in.One good point is that she still wants to keep herself clean and spent about 10-14 minutes grooming herself after eating some dry kibble. When I left I gave her some more of the "bait" as I did not have the heart to not give it to her. I figured it is more important to try and keep her nutrition up as much as possible while she has this infection of her ear. It does no good to "starve" her waiting for her to go into the trap and trip it. I know she is playing the waiting game and one way or another she will get caught, be it one more day or several. When a cat no longer cares to wash themselves, they are either too sick to wash themselves or their mouth hurts too bad, as cats are very clean animals by nature. My big boy Karl Kat who I rescued almost two years ago, had a huge abcess on his lower jaw and was skin and bones down to 7 pds and had dirty fur. He is almost unrecognizable today. Not only did Karl Kat have a abcess , but also Stomatitis which is a severe mouth infection that made grooming next to impossible and also eating very painful. Karl Kat was so sick and I am sure would have died within a week if he had not been rescued and taken the the vets. He had his Abcess cleaned and antibiotics, eventually all his teeth except his canines were removed due to un relenting Stomatiis that did not respond to Steroid injections and Karl Kat is now by cat, and a big healthy looking 14 lb + boy. ;HIs fur is beautiful and he is the most gentle loving baby. He still has the stomatitis but it is under control with Steroids and diet as mluch as possible. Good nutrition along with medical care when needed is a neccessity for animals and when they are sick like poor Daisy and how Karl Kat was, it can be the difference between a live cat or a dead cat.( this holds true for any animal..) I think if you see the photo of the before of Karl Kat that I will post and the after, you can easily see the difference a little care has made. ( I will post photos here shortly. ) Everyone hope I get Daisy tomm0row. Thanks everyone for the kind responses and for hoping Daisy gets caught and the care she really really needs.

RWM

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #6 on:** September 08, 2011, 12:28:35 AM »

Ok, here are the before pictures of Karl Kat that I talked about above, the first two, and the after photo of Karl Kat after being taken to the vets. It is amazing to see what a little TLC, along with a good vet, some food and some anitbiotics can do for an animal in need. All Karl Kat needed was an abcess taken care of along with antibiotics, lots of food, a warm bed to sleep in, some love and neutering to keep him off the street. His abcess healed as terrible as it was, it was left open a gaping wound that left a scar, and some food to fatten him up which took about five months or so, his fur came back in, shiny and healthy looking, His Stomatitis is life long but under control. Karl Kat was one of the fortunate ones, Many others do not get rescued and make it. I am just hoping Daisy gets the help that made a difference in Karl's life.

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RWM

Crewella · « **Reply #7 on:** September 08, 2011, 03:17:18 AM »

Awwww, I remember those pics of Karl Kat, and how much better he looks now!

It's sad, but I'm glad these cats had a RWM on ther side!

saratogaspringer · « **Reply #8 on:** September 08, 2011, 03:20:16 AM »

I with you the best of luck in catching Daisy, RWM. I know you will love her and give her the attention that she needs. It is amazing to see what you did with Karl. He is beautiful. It is amazing what a little love and medical attention can do for an animal.

kat · « **Reply #9 on:** September 08, 2011, 04:11:28 AM »

I hope you manage to catch her soon. Poor little thing.

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #10 on:** September 09, 2011, 03:18:31 PM »

Just a quick update. I had no luck yesterday, didn't even see her at all in the daytime, which had me upset. Very upsetting to see her in the evening at "suppertime" but good none the less as she is alive and still around, and looking no worse but no better really bad to be truthful.
I thought it over and over and with research on the web, could almost convince myself, that as much as I hate to admit it, I am pretty sure that she will be euthanized, unless there is a miracle for one main thing, Surely her ear will have to be removed and I mean the whole ear as it is cancerous, and probably malignant at this point. But being a white cat and outdoors with no real "owner" she would be reccomenedd to stay indoors to prevent re-occurance and that can't happen with a feral or semi feral cat. I mean she will let me pet her but I have known her since about four months old. This would surely reoccur and how well she could cope outdoors with no ears, is unsure.

She still is young, only five or less years old and very sweet.It is so sad, I have read over and over again stories of white cats with owners who had cancers re-occur so a cat that lives on i't own outside is not good. So sad and part of it makes me not want to catch her, ,but the state she is in, it is the only kind thing to do. It is to the point that happened really quick, that her ear is producing foul smelling pus, like dead tissue that you can smell easily.
so I am off again to try and catch her again today. I only want to alleviate her suffering and pain and not have her be any worse. If she is not "put down" it will be a miracle and miracles can happen, but I am somewhat prepared for the worst, I cry just thinking of it, but there is no way to change the story. White cats even kept indoors are prone to this because of very thin skin on the ear flaps and the UV rays can get them even when they sit on windowsills. all I can wish for is that everyone thinks good thoughts for Daisy and that she gets the treatment she needs, whatever it is meant to be. Seeing her in pain is the worst.

To do nothing is worse, it is cruel and Crimininal.................
RWM Hope for treatment and perhaps a miracle but being caught today please.

Willow · « **Reply #11 on:** September 09, 2011, 03:36:45 PM »

I'm so sorry!!

I really hope you can catch her.

Keep us updated!

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #12 on:** September 09, 2011, 06:22:28 PM »

WAs about ready to give up on catching her this afternoon when she showed up, She didn't go into the trap, but her buddy and littermate tried to and I had to shoo her away from going in so I will try again tonight at feeding time. Her ear now has this greenish yellow thick smelly discharge ( not from the ear inner or ear drum, but from under the growth which looks like cauliflower in it's appearance.

:(Anyway, I will go out again tongiht and try try till she is caught, It is just a matter of time, she will go in. I have all weekend and will not give up, My friend Cheryl, who I cat sat for her 15+ cats while she went to Arizone, reminded me of how bad Karl Kat looked with his huge abcess, and how skinny and sick he looked, and he is fine now, so there are miracles, but despite the final outcome, this cat Daisy will be caught. I will keep you all updated on a daily basis as what is happening,

Thank you for your support and caring, I know there are people out there who do not like cats the way I do and who do not even like cats, But I do think everyone despite their preferece for animals or how they personally feel about cats, do feel that all animals deserve to be cared for and not to be in pain.

All creatures from the largest whales in the oceans, to mans's best friend, dogs and to cats, feral or lap cats, birds, lizards, hamsters and the wildlife we see and don't see to the farm animals that are destined to "the food market", deserve humane treatment and medical care when neccessary. Thank you for letting me express my pain and my love for Daisy and the responses you have shown here makes this tough situation a little easier knowing there are caring people here who do care and who support what I am TRYING to do, to care for an ill animal in need.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone here. RWM

fancyfont · « **Reply #13 on:** September 09, 2011, 09:00:31 PM »

RWM, I hope this is the night you can catch Daisy and perhaps she will be another miracle. Thank you for caring for these little animals.

kat · « **Reply #14 on:** September 09, 2011, 10:42:56 PM »

Wishing you all the best RWM. I hope you catch her tonight.

latrine · « **Reply #15 on:** September 11, 2011, 12:36:15 PM »

Best of luck, RWM, what you are doing is really awesome and amazing. It hadn't ever occurred to me, either about white cats having problems with their ears from the sun, wow.. I'm sure you'll get her. Even if it ends up being a little rougher for her, she will know and understand, eventually, that you were there to help her, they just seem to know.

My cat, Mack, a cat that my other cat who has since passed away, Jack (Who I raised from a day old kitten) brought home with him one day.. just recently died. My mother said he just came in the house, had a seizure and died. He was only about 8 years old. He was a very good boy and always so patient. I will miss him. He knew the sound of my bf's truck and whenever we came over to visit he;d come tearing out of the woods. (our cats were always allowed to come in and out at will)
Jack brought him home right before his scheduled neutering, I was actually in the hospital and when I got home I woke up with this strange cat sleeping in bed next to me lol. and it was so strange that he brought home another male cat his own age.. so I brought them both in to be fixed, figuring that even if Mack decided not to stay, he'd not be able to add more cats to the problem. Well he stayed.. when I moved he had to stay with my folks because my bf is horribly allergic. I really miss having them around.
I hope you catch her soon and even though it's a lot of work and a lot of people probably don't understand or appreciate it, your really doing a wonderful thing, helping them when no one else will. It's not their fault humans were irresponsible.

Best of luck to both you and her!!

Also, when we had a stray once by the bar i used to manage, we had trouble catching her and ended up putting the safe trap standing up so the cat had to jump up and in to get inside.. that was the only way to catch that wily pregnant girl and she ended up going to a wonderful home where she had i think EIGHT babies

We put a very small tuna steak in there for her to catch her, lol.. thank god my "then" father in law didn't find out (it was his restaurant/bar ) hehe

- Sarah

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #16 on:** September 11, 2011, 02:17:57 PM »

Hi Sarah, thanks for the words of encouragement , It is appreciated,

I am sorry to hear about Mack, but it souonds like he found you with the help of your other cat, and the short, ( realative to some cats esp indoor cats these days who can live upwards of 15 years +)[ my freind has a cat Simon who is just turning 19 and was an indoor outdoor cat for the first 16 years of his life, till his owners just dumped him..

, and Crewella has just recently lost two of her cats who were both senior citizens, and my oldest Aiffa a Tortie was born in either 93 or 94, and I recently ran into a woman in the grocery store here in town who had two cats, and one had just recently died, being 24 years old!( her husband accidently ran over him and he was in perfect health she said

) Anyway despite Mack's age, he had a good life while he was with you and I feel it is not so much the length of the life allways, but the quality of the life. There are some animals who live long lives and are in miserable living conditions all their lives with no affection, lack of food or vet care and would be better off not even living , their lives are full of misery and they are not spayed or neutererd and bring poor unwanted babies into the world that is overrun with unwanted animals...too much sadness to talk about but you know what I am saying. Kudos for you to bring Mack home or for giving him a home and most importantly making sure he was neutered to help keep the pet population explosion under control. The fact he came home to die, shows he knew where he would be cared for in his last hours....He knew he was loved and he loved you in return.
I saw Daisy last night and her ear as bad as it is, looked slightly better, only because I think what is or was a abcess full of pus under the tumor or whatever is on her ear, was done draining and it looked cleaner and less smelly. Cats have a way of dealing with abcesses themselves, lancing them and trying to heal them with their own saliva which has beneficial bacteria and pain fighting chemicals in it. I am not saying she is "ok", cause she is still in desparate need of help and it may be easier to catch her now that this infection is not what it was, or looked like last night anyway, who knows what it will be today........... The hardest part I am having is placing the trap in an area where there are anywhere from one to three other cats and one or two others are feral or semi feral and I do not want to catch them so I have to sit there the whole time I am trying to catch her to keep them out of the trap and going after the bait. ( they are all hungry and enticed by the tuna or whatever I decide to use..)I live in a busy area with lots of traffic, both cars and foot traffic and do not want everyone knowing I am trying to catch a cat, I borrowed this trap and two years ago, I had a trap I borrowed from a friend to trap a pregnant cat, and it was hidden in bushes where she stayed, ( the yard that is) and somebody must have seen me put it there, cause the next day it was gone, someone stole it, and it cost me $60.00 to replace it and longer to eventually catch the cat and her three kittens, who were all placed in a home,( all three kittens went to a nice well to do home and the mom to a farm with others from the colony.)

Anyway, today is another day and I will be out there again, Thaonks for the nice message. I will keep you updated, RWM

Crewella · « **Reply #17 on:** September 11, 2011, 08:33:05 PM »

As RWM says, I have lost two of my 'oldies' recently, but knowing how loved and healthy they were means everything - it's the quality of life that matters.

Keep at it, RWM - you'll get her the help she needs eventually!

kat · « **Reply #18 on:** September 12, 2011, 08:43:49 AM »

for everyone who needs a hug right now. Hope you catch Daisy soon RWM. Sorry to hear about your lovely cats passing away Crewella and Sarah.

I know how hard that can be. It's not easy to lose a loved one, pet or other wise. Thinking good thoughts your way.

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #19 on:** September 13, 2011, 12:56:16 PM »

Today is another day to try and catch Daisy.

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thought you may want to see a photo of one of Daisy's younger sisters, born several litters after her, a couple of years younger .This is April whom I rescued when re-locating the whole colony and I took April home when she was about 4 months old. She is a beautiful little girl a Pastel Calico, and luckily, she has more color than poor Daisy who is 95% all white. We also limit any time April goes out in the sun and her ears are a light grey which helps protect her. I think you can see the resemblance. They have the same parents and most of the cats in the colony have the white gene which is unfortuante as I am sure many of them have cancer of the ears or nose but there is little you can do for a feral or semi-feral cat with cancer, except to try and catch them and treat them, Many people do not have the money and the poor animals will suffer a slow death...
Wish me luck today, I have fresh cooked whole chicken and stinky enticing Mackeral, Yummy to a cat....

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RWM

Margery · « **Reply #20 on:** September 13, 2011, 02:37:41 PM »

I keep checking on your progress. I do so hope that today is the day.

Bob the Pleo Forums

Author Topic: Cancer in white Cats Daisy's story. (Read 3912 times)